Air Zimbabwe to Restore Direct London Flights After 14 Years Hiatus

By Staff Reporter

Air Zimbabwe is preparing to re-establish direct air services between Harare and London, a move that will see the national carrier return to the United Kingdom market for the first time in more than a decade.

The airline is expected to launch flights to London Gatwick on July 1, restoring a route that was discontinued in 2012 amid operational and financial difficulties.

The return of the service is being viewed as a major development for Zimbabwe’s aviation sector, offering passengers a direct connection between the two countries after years of relying on indirect routes through regional and international transit hubs.

Also Read: Air Zimbabwe Selling 2 Boeing 777 Planes That Have Been Parked Since Arrival

Partnership Paves Way for Long-Haul Return
To facilitate the relaunch, Air Zimbabwe has entered into an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) agreement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas.

Under the arrangement, the Spanish airline will provide aircraft, flight crews, maintenance support and insurance cover, allowing Air Zimbabwe to resume long-haul operations without immediately expanding its own fleet.


Industry experts say such agreements are often used by airlines seeking to quickly enter or re-enter markets while longer-term fleet development plans are still underway.

Route Revival Ends Years of Waiting
Air Zimbabwe’s London services were suspended 14 years ago after the airline faced mounting financial challenges and increasingly stringent European aviation requirements.


Since then, several attempts have been made to restore the route, including proposals to modernise the fleet through the acquisition of new long-range aircraft. However, those plans failed to materialise, delaying the carrier’s return to the UK.


The latest partnership is expected to overcome those hurdles by providing access to aircraft that satisfy British and European operational standards.

Boost for Diaspora, Tourism and Business
The Harare-Gatwick route is expected to serve a wide range of travellers, including members of the Zimbabwean diaspora, business executives, students, tourists and government officials.

Tourism stakeholders believe the direct service could help attract more visitors from the UK by offering a more convenient travel option, while businesses are expected to benefit from improved connectivity between the two countries.

For thousands of Zimbabweans living in Britain, the restoration of direct flights is also expected to make travel home easier and more efficient, strengthening links between Zimbabwe and one of its largest overseas communities.